Community Wildlife Habitat Initiative

Wild About Hammonton

Our Goal is to certify Hammonton as a Community Wildlife Habitat. The Green Committee is currently building a team to conduct outreach and education on the benefits to Hammonton’s eco-system and quality of life. We will create public-private partnerships to create certified habitats across a wide variety of spaces, including homes, schools, public spaces, businesses, places of worship and community centers.  Our Target: 150-200 homes & businesses, 5+ schools, and 5+ public spaces over the next 2-3 years.

What is a Certified Community Wildlife Habitat? There are four essential elements of having a backyard habitat:

  1. Food Sources – native berries, seeds, nectar, native plants, fruits, nuts
  2. Water Sources – birdbaths, ponds, water gardens, streams
  3. Cover – rock piles, thickets, birdhouses, bushes
  4. Places to Raise Young – dense shrubs, nesting box, birdhouses, shrubs

What are the Benefits of Creating Community Wildlife Habitats

  • Increases the habitats available to wildlife, restoring balance between development and natural spaces
  • Healthy eco-systems help provide clean air and water and protect our soil resources against flooding and erosion
  • Natural Habitats maintain and improve the native plants that wildlife rely on for food and shelter
  • Improves our quality of life – wild areas are great places to enjoy, relax and recreate

Wildlife habitats are sponsored by The National Wildlife Federation (NWF), which works to teach Americans about environmental conservation and is the United States’ largest private, nonprofit conservation education and advocacy organization. They strive to help communities coexist with wildlife by creating spaces where people, flora and fauna can flourish.

Web Resources:

Area Nursery Resources:

Other Resources:

  • CD: “Calls of New Jersey Frogs and Toads” by David Golden and John Bunnell
  • Booklet: “Enjoying Butterflies More” by Jeffrey Glassberg
  • Book: Bringing Nature Home by Doug Tallamy